What is a car alternator?

A car alternator keeps your car's battery charged, which is obviously important because a charged battery starts your car and powers everything electrical within it. It does so using a drive belt (sometimes referred to as a serpentine belt) to convert the mechanical energy of the car's rotating crankshaft into electricity through a process of induction.

The red light on your car’s dash with the image of a battery (or the words ALT or GEN) becomes illuminated.

Your speedometer has stopped working.

You can smell rubber burning.

Your car fails a multimeter test at a garage.

What is the cause of a faulty car alternator?

The component, a brush, which maintains constant electrical contact with the spinning alternator, becomes worn.

The voltage regulator, which makes sure that the electrical charge is passed to the battery at the correct voltage, fails.

How long does a car alternator last?

On average, a car alternator can last for 8-12 years without needing for any repairs.

How much does it cost to repair a faulty alternator?

On average, it costs between £150-£300 to repair or replace a broken car alternator depending on the vehicle.

Refurbished car alternators are available but do not offer that much of a cost saving.

How and where can I get a car alternator repaired?

BookMyGarage is partners with over 9,000 garages in the UK so we can almost certainly find one to repair or replace your car.

Go to bookmygarage.com, enter your car registration and postcode, and then press the search button.

Sort the results by etc.

Call one of our expert mechanics on 03304 004439 for help and advice if needed.

About Ford

The second largest US-based automaker, Ford is a brand known around the world, with a number of strong performing vehicles
in its ranks. No surprise there, as the company has been making cars since 1903. As the most popular of the North American brands
in the UK, the Ford Focus and the Fiesta are probably well known to almost every driver on the road.

Popular for those looking for subcompact or compact cars, Ford makes a variety of configurations across a spectrum of performance standards.
The last of Ford’s British car manufacturing plants was shut down in 2002, but you’ll still find Ford dealerships across the country -
with garages that know how to deal with them as a consequence.

What do you need from your garage?

We all have different needs, and choosing a garage is no different. For some of us, it’s the quality of the overall
service which matters most; not just the work that’s done under the bonnet, but the human interaction that comes with it.
BookMyGarage allows you to compare Wellington garages on everything from their waiting room refreshments or whether having
your toddler in tow is going to be a problem, to how clearly the staff can explain the work your car requires.